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| HC directs ST Commissioner to produce record of vacancies Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 21: Justice Arun Kumar Goel of the State High Court has admitted a writ petition .....more Young
monk’s From Tashi Morup LEH, Dec 21: Deeply moved at the sight of suffering heart patients at Ladakh Buddhist .......more R S Sharma
presides Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 21: Mr R S Sharma, senior Congress leader and MLA, Nowshera, presided over the the closing.....more BSP demands Panchayat elections on party basis Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 21: Executive body meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir Bahujan Samaj....more Sikh
organisations Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 21: Various Sikh organisations have taken a strong exception to a statement.....more |
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Sangeet
Natak Akedmi awardee Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 21: Mr Balwant Thakur, a renowned theatre personality and secretary, Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, who has been......more Farooq
felicitates people on Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, DEC.21: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has felicitated the people on the auspicious occasions of Jumat-ul-Vida....more Government
nominates Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Dec.21: The Government have nominated four persons as the members of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh.......more Export
sample show Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Dec. 21: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has formulated an ambitious plan to increase sale of its handicrafts many-fold..........more |
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Committee to examine cases of suspended officers.... Entire Kargil district to get water within two years: Sagar.... Road safety programme Sectt employees hold dharna.... Massive
protest against banks’ privatisation |
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HC directs ST Commissioner to
produce Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 21: Justice Arun Kumar Goel of the State High Court has admitted a writ petition seeking direction to the Commissioner Sales Tax, J&K, to disclose the number of vacancies of guards, orderlies, packers and chowkidars advertised on December 7, 2000. The Court issued notice to the respondents which was accepted by Advocate M A Bhat, with the direction that he will file counter and specifically state in it the number of vacancies to which the recruitment is proposed to be made on the basis of the advertisement dated December 12, 2000. The Court further directed that the official record in original be produced in the Court on the next date of hearing, i.e, February 2, 2001. It was also directed to Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmad, appearing for the petitioner, that he will not only supply two complete sets of papers to Advocate Bhat appearing for the respondents, but will also provide him an attested copy of this order. This court direction was passed in a writ petition filed by one Dalip Kumar Bangotra on the grounds that the advertisement notice number -I of december 7, 2000 was not in consonance with the spirit and intent of the direction passed by the Division bench of this court in LPA (SWP 376/2000, decided on November 8, 2000). In the petition, it was further stated that it was a settled law of the land that the appointing authority for the public post is under an obligation to make publication of posts to general public and the candidates have a right to know the number of vacancies and number of reserved vacancies. In the petition, it was alleged that it appears that the respondents want to make the selection process a guarded secret to accommodate their blue-eyed persons, whereas the High Court has already come heavily on the respondents by quashing the earlier appointments made in contravention of the established norms and rules. It was also alleged that the respondents have not specified the mode of selection for making recruitment to the various vacancies adverted on December 7, 2000. The High Court, it may be recalled, had earlier quashed about 400 appointments made in the Excise and Sales Tax Department without observing the rules and without inviting applications. The Division Bench had later upheld the decision of quashing the appointments. |
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Young monk’s goodwill gesture for Ladakhi patients From Tashi Morup LEH, Dec 21: Deeply moved at the sight of suffering heart patients at Ladakh Buddhist Vihara in Delhi a young monk Geylong Thupstan Chogyal decided to do something for these poor patients from remote Ladakh. Since then Chogyal devoted himself to the service of the patients suffering from heart diseases common in Ladakh. The high altitude, extremely cold climate and difficult living conditions in Ladakh result in high incidence of congenital and acquired heart diseases as well as causing a high prevalence of respiratory problems. However, for such diseases there is no treatment facility in the local hospitals. And thus a heart patient is left with the only option to go outside Ladakh to a place like Delhi, which is normally beyond his financial capacity. Of all the heart problems Rheumatic Heart Disease is severest. The disease, which is often preceded by Rheumatic fever, is a crippling disease, this is written in a pioneering journal on health (to be released shortly) by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sonam Dawa Lonpo and his assistant Ammanullah. The report further said that the consequent result of the Rheumatic Heart Disease is continuing damage to the heart, increasing disabilities, repeated hospitalization and premature deaths. Although, people of Ladakh are lucky in a sense that its health is taken care by highly efficient and sincere local doctors. Yet many diseases including Rheumatic Heart Disease need a treatment facility which is not available in the Sonam Norboo Memorial Hospital in Leh. Such patients have to go outside Ladakh to a place like Delhi bearing the large expenses. The cost of surgery to treat Rheumatic Heart Disease is 1,42000 rupees and the average cost of Congenital Heart Disease, which is also in high prevalence in Ladakh, is 45000 rupees. These prices are exclusive of costly travel expenses and accommodation charges for the patient and an attendant in Delhi. Thus it is a dreadful disease in Ladakh. However, today these patients do not need to loose heart. Efforts made by Chogyal have resulted into a formation of the Ladakh Heart Foundation (LHF), a Non Governmental Organisation, devoted to help the needy patients. Since its establishment in 1997, LHF has helped the heart patients by giving financial assistance (raised from local organizations like 16 friends,) to the needy ones besides bringing awareness among the common people about the heart diseases. In medical camps all over Ladakh organized in collaboration with local doctors LHF has so far registered 108 cases of Rheumatic heart disease, 62 cases of Congenital Heart Disease, 16 cases of Coronary Heart Disease and 14 cases of Acquired Rheumatic Fever. In 1998 LHF invited a senior cardio-thoracic surgeon from AIIMS, New Delhi Dr. Sampath Kumar, who examined about 85 Rheumatic Heart Disease patients and suggested proper treatment. He also advised to get a machine called Colour Doppler Imaging System to facilitate the diagnostic capability of the local physicians. SNM Hospital presently possesses this machine and is fully functional. Thus considerably reducing the expenses of a heart patient as the initial diagnosis, earlier performed at Delhi, can be now done in Leh. However, it would not be long when a complete diagnostic center with operating theatre and a conference hall will be set in Leh by the Heart Foundation. J&K government and LAHDC have already allotted a land for this project. The doctors from AIIMS have promised to visit the diagnostic center (once built) every year. However, more intricate surgery of Rheumatic Heart Disease would still have to be carried out in Delhi. |
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R S Sharma presides over SSB function at Lamberi Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 21: Mr R S Sharma, senior Congress leader and MLA, Nowshera, presided over the the closing ceremony of Minor Publicity campaign launched by SSB Sunderbani area in Nowshera Sub Area to convey the message of national integration and communal harmony in the border areas of Nowshera sector. According to a press release, Area Organisor Mr I C Sharma, received Mr Sharma at Dandani where he flagged off the rally participated by the School Children of Higher Secondary School of Lamberi, H S Siot, Bagnoti, Girls High School, Lamberi, Middle School Siot and large number of locals and the teachers. During one kilometre march upto Lamberi High School slogans of national integration were raised. While welcoming the chief guest, Mr I C Sharma, Area Organisor gave an account of the activities of the SSB directly related to the welfare of the people residing in far-flung areas including medicare, vety. care and training for the youth. Students of different schools presented colourful cultural programmes which was applauded by the audience. While addressing the function, Mr Sharma appreciated the activities of the S.S.B organisation, Sunderbani area for the awareness campaign launched to promote the national integration and communal harmony concept and carrying out different social and developmental activities for the upliftment of the masses. Mr Sharma expressed that Minor Publicity campaign turned to be a great success under the over all directions of Major General D D Singh, Vr C Divisional Organisor, S.S.B J&K Mr I C Sharma, Area Organisor S S B, Sunderbani and team of his officers and officials. He also distributed prizes among boys and girls participants. Hearing aids and articles such as wheel chairs, elbow crutches and tricycles were also distributed to the disabled and handicaps by the chief guest. Mr Sharma also paid Rs 4,000 to the Area Organisor for the entertainment of the students participated in the cultural programmes. On his arrival to Nowshera, Mr Sharma inaugurated Dhoom Dhamaka Winter Cultural Festival organised by Indian Youth Organisation (Rural). Mr Sharma paid Rs 1,000 to the organising committee for refreshment. |
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BSP demands Panchayat elections on party basis Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 21: Executive body meeting of the Jammu and Kashmir Bahujan Samaj Party was held today in which all office bearers and MLA participated. The main agenda of the meeting was to discuss forthcoming Panchayat election. The party discussed the matter in detail and it was unanimously decided that the Panchayat elections should be held on party basis. According to a press release, meeting criticised the National Conference Government for its failure to fulfill the election promises made during the last Assembly elections. BSP accused State Government of adopting anti- SC, ST and OBCs policies. Meeting was of the view that both NC and BJP have apprehended that defeat in the coming Panchayat election that was why they were ready to contest election on non-party basis. Meeting appreciated decision of the Centre Government to extend cease-fire. BSP made it clear that Hurriyat was not the only representative body of the people but dialogue should be held with leaders of all recognised political parties. Sheikh Abdul Rehman, MLA, state president of the BSP presided over the meeting. Mr G L Bhagat, senior vice-president, H R Chargotra, vice-president, Roop Lal, K A Qazi, Makhan Singh, B D Bhagat, Sagar Chand, MLA, Som Nath, MLA and others attended the meeting. |
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Sikh organisations condemn statement against DGPC Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 21: Various Sikh organisations have taken a strong exception to a statement of Jagdev Singh wherein he had reportedly passed certain remarks that go against the interests of the community. Reacting to the statement of Mr Jagdev Singh, Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), J&K in a meeting held here took serious note of the statement of Mr Jagdev Singh and said that such act on his part was anti-Panthic. The statement said that nobody can doubt or raise finger against the functioning of District Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (DGPC). It said that Mr Surrinder Singh, president DGPC is a man of principles and well known in the community and entire community has full faith in him. District Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee in a meeting held here under the presidentship of its vice president, Mehal Singh, took serious note of the statement issued by Jagdev Singh and said that the allegations against the president of DGPC were totally baseless and false. The meeting appealed to the community members to beware of such elements and remain united. The SAD (Badal) Jammu district in a meeting held here while welcoming the decision of the High Court in vindicating the stand of Sikh Sangat by revoking the order passed by Chairman of J&K Gurdwara Board, appealed to the Sikh organisations to remain united and said that the false and frivolous allegations leveled against each other shall in no way benefit the community. Present in the meeting among others were Surjit Singh, Malik Singh, Swaran Singh, Joginder Singh and Harbans Singh. J&K Sikh Welfare Association in a meeting held under the presidentship of Saranjit Singh of Kashmir, condemned the statement issued by Jagdev Singh and appealed to the community members to remain united. All J&K Sikh League in a meeting held under the presidentship of Hardit Singh Kashmiri expressed serious concern over the statement issued by Jagdev Singh, wherein certain remarks were passed by him. The meeting said that DGPC is discharging the duty strictly in accordance with the Gurmaryada and J&K Sikh Gurdwara Act. The meeting while condemning the act of leveling allegations against DGPC and its president, appealed to the community members to frustrate the evil designs of such elements who were trying to bring bad name to the entire community for their petty interests. |
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Sangeet Natak Akedmi
awardee Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 21: Mr Balwant Thakur, a renowned theatre personality and secretary, Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, who has been selected for this year’s coveted Sangeet Natak Akedami award, was felicitated at an impressive function organised by Department of Student Welfare on the campus here today. Professor R R Sharma, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu was the chief guest and presented a memento to Mr Balwant Thakur for achieving the honour at the national level. A galaxy of academicians, leaders of social and cultural organisations and prominent citizens attended the function. Among others, those who were present included: Maj. Gen. (retd) G S Jamwal, MLC; Prof A N Sadhu, Dean, Academic Affairs; Prof Devender Singh, Mr Balraj Puri, S Teja Singh, Prof Hari Om, Mr M M Khajooria, Prof Rekha Choudhary. Mr Balwant Thakur has been selected for the prestigious award from Sangeet Natak Akedami, New DElhi recently for his folk touch and some innovations in the field of theatre performances. Speaking on the occasion, Prof M R Puri, former VC stated that Balwant Singh was his" discovery " at the very first Display Your Talent programme introduced in 1982 by the Jammu University to promote cultural activities among the students. He said this talented artist has now made a mark in the country and now conferred proud national recognition. Prof Puri said that Balwant Thakur has done proud to Jammu by getting this high honour. Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma, Santoor Maestro, was the first from Jammu and Kashmir to receive this award. Prof Lalit Magotra, chairman, Campus Cultural Committee also spoke about the qualities of this young theatre personality. Highlighting the achievements of Balwant Thakur, who studied in Law Faculty of Jammu University, Prof N A Ganai, Dean, Students Welfare praised his creative artistic performance especially in the theatre field. His troupe has given performances throughout the country and brought good name to the State and the varsity, he added. Expressing his gratitude, Balwant Thakur gave details of his Dogri plays, which touch deep human sentiments and have mass appeal. The performances have gained popularity all over the country. Suno Kahani, a play in Dogri, written and directed by Balwant Thakur, was staged at the venue of the function. The young artists’ performance was superb and highly appreciated by the audience. |
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Farooq felicitates people on Jumat-ul- Vida, Shab-e-Qadr Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, DEC.21: Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has felicitated the people on the auspicious occasions of Jumat-ul-Vida and Shab-e-Qadr. In a message, Dr Abdullah said the Jumat-ul-Vida and Shabi Qadr have a special significance in the holy month of Ramadhan during which the fasting devotees attain spiritualism and blessings of Allah. The Chief Minister hoped that the conclusion of the holy month would usher the state in a new phase of peace and development and the steps taken in this direction would get further strengthened. He referred to the bloodshed and mayhem unleashed by militancy in Jammu and Kashmir for over a decade and said that it is unfortunate that blood of innocents is being shed even during the holy month of Ramadhan despite bold peace initiatives of the government. May Allah show the right path to those who are soaking their hands with blood of innocents, Amen. Dr Abdullah hoped that the Jumat-ul-Vida and Shab-e-Qadr this year would dawn a new spring of happiness and prosperity for the people of the state. He asked the people, especially the fasting Muslims to arrange for special prayers for the welfare of the state on the two auspicious occasions. |
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Government nominates 4 member to LAHDC Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Dec.21: The Government have nominated four persons as the members of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh. They are Smt. Spalzes Angmo, W/o Dr. Motup Dorje, C/o Hotel Lingzi, Leh; Smt. Rigzin spaldon, W/o Mr. Stanzin Angdus, R/o Stakna; Mr. Ghulam Abbas Abidi, S/o Late Haji Mohammad Hussain Abidi, R/o Thiksey; and Mr. Mohammad Sadiq, S/o Mr. Mohammad Hussain, R/o Leh. This has been done in pursuance of Sub-Section (2) section 4 of the Jammu and Kashmir Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act, 1997. According to the Act, 26 members are to be elected to the 30-member Council whileas four are nominated by the Government. A notification has been issued here today. Second general elections to the 26 seats of the LAHDC were held on October, 28. |
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| Export sample show rooms being set up at
Delhi, Srinagar Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Dec. 21: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has formulated an ambitious plan to increase sale of its handicrafts many-fold. For this purpose, the J&K Handicrafts ( Sales and Export) Corporation has decided to open three new sales outlets in Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta raising the number of Government arts emporia to 25 located in various various cities of the country. The procurement policy has also been revised. In fact the corporation has been able to maintain a constant growth in its turnover during last three years and is on its way to play a major role in the development and promotion of the handicrafts sector in the State. Against the sales turnover of Rs. 4 crore in 1997-98, the Corporation conducted sales to the tune of Rs. 4.52 crore in 1998-99 which increased further to Rs. 5.81 crore in 1999-2000. The increase has been achieved despite in-operation of some valley based sales outlets due to disturbed situation in the State. The Corporation during the next financial year would also initiate several measures to strengthen its supply line, delivery schedule and procure desired and required quality of handicraft products. The Corporation would also register artisans and manufacturers whom it will advise and guide before-hand about its requirements, quality, design and colour wise and give them time frame in advance so that small artisans and manufacturers could organise their production and produce only such items for which the corporation will have assured market. These artisans would also be provided credit facilities under special credit plan launched recently by the Government to improve living standard of small weavers and artisans. The Corporation has also initiated measures for registering export sales and has recently received some enquiries from Canada. In order to strengthen the area of export sales, the Corporation plans to set up export sample show rooms at Delhi and Srinagar and also to create exclusive export sample by reproducing innovations created in various crafts/products by the School of Design. These samples will be catalogued for promotion in export market through E-commerce/ website. Worth-while to mention, the handicrafts of our state have major market abroad and the exports contribute to about 70 per cent of the turnover of this sector. Over a period of last more than two and a half decades, the State and Central Governments have been keenly strengthening the production base of the handicrafts industry with the help of extensive training programmes. These efforts have resulted in increasing the strength of artisans to 5 lakh from mere 97,990 artisans in 1978-79 in various craft disciplines which has simultaneously increased the production base of Kashmir handicrafts. The Corporation intends to introduce and promote state's handicrafts in new markets to create additional market avenues for absorbing this increased production for this purpose, the Government plans to participate in the Industrial Trade Fairs and Exhibitions like Dubai International fair, New York/ Atlanta International Fair ( through (ITPO) and proposed exhibition in South Africa. Development Commissioner, handicrafts, Government of India will be approached to provide necessary financial assistance in this regard. It is also planned to organise a Buyer-seller meet at Srinagar where overseas buyers would be invited for participation to provide an opportunity to the artisans to interact directly with the importers for selling their products. It is proposed that a group of 10 reputed buyers from USA Cananda and Europe selected with the assistance of Indian missions abroad will be invited to visit the Valley for the purpose for a period of three days. |
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Review Committee to examine
cases of Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Dec. 21: The Review Committee set up under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, Mr Ashok Jaitly will review the cases of various officers/officials of the Government Departments under suspension pending investigation into criminal complaints against them or after orders sanctioning their prosecution were issued. The Financial Commissioner, Agriculture Production and Rural Development Department and Principal Secretary, Planning and Development Department are the members of reviewing committee whileas Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department is the Member Secretary. According to a circular, all the Administrative Secretaries to the Government have been asked to send brief notes in respect of such officers for being placed before the review committee. With regard to non-Government employees, the Administrative Departments will review their cases at their own level and keep the General Administration Department informed about the outcome of such reviews. Where, however, the non-gazetted employees involved in a case belong to more than one department, such cases may also be referred to the General Administration Department for consideration of the review committee |
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Entire Kargil district to get water within two years: Sagar Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Dec. 21: Potable drinking water facilities will be made available to entire population of Kargil district within next two years. This was revealed at a meeting of engineers held here today to review the achievements made under Public Health Engineering, Irrigation and PWD sectors in Kargil and Leh districts. The Works Minister, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar presided. The meeting was informed that out of 130 villages of the districts Kargil 80 villages have already been provided drinking water facility whileas 17 villages will be provided this facility by March 2001. The meeting was told that 17 drinking water schemes were under execution in the district at a cost of Rs 2 crores. The remaining 23 villages will get potable drinking water facilities in the year 2002. Mr. Sagar asked the officers to initiate steps to reactivise some defunct water supply schemes in the district immediately to augment drinking water supply. While reviewing performance of the Irrigation sector, the meeting was informed that wakhar rong irrigation project in Kargil district coming up at a cost of Rs 8.25 crores is likely to be completed by the end of next financial year. So far 65 per cent work on the Project involving an expenditure of about Rs 5 crores has been completed. The Project will provide irrigation facility to 680 hectares of land benefiting 15,000 souls of the area. Meanwhile sanction has been accorded to the Khumbathan Irrigation Project Kargil. The Project will provide Irrigation facility to over 500 hectares of land covering 60 villages of the district. While reviewing achievements in PHE sector in Leh district it was stated that eight water supply schemes at a cost of over Rs 1 crore have been taken up last year for providing potable drinking water to the people. The meeting was told that so far Rs 34 crores have been spent on the construction of Centrally Sponsored Igophy Irrigation canal in Leh and further Rs 7crore for the project are being provided. The Works Minister exhorted upon the officers to work with dedication and utilized the budgetary provisions well in time for timely completion of development works particularly in these backward areas. He directed the officers of these districts to remain present at their headquarters and make themselves available to the people so that their problems are mitigated. The Minister asked the Superintending Engineer, R&B Leh to submit the report regarding the collapse of Kubeed Bridge Nobra immediately. The Commissioner/Secretary, Works, Mr. B.R. Kundal, SE, PWD, Kargil and Leh were also present in the meeting. |
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Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Dec 21: Provincial Power Employees Union (PPEU), Jammu Province held a meeting here today under the leadership of Mr Shakti Gupta, its president. the meeting was also attended by Messrs Rajan Babu, Satya Paul Sharma, Jagrub Singh Slathia, Rajinder Kumar Harbans Singh, Ashok Charak, Ajaz Qazmi and Sanjeev Bali. As per a release, the meeting hailed the Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah for entrusting the Power Development Department (PDD) to Mr Surjit Singh Slathia. Addressing the meeting, Mr Shakti Gupta, president of the Union congratulated Mr Slathia for assuming the charge of the additional portfolio. He expressed the hope that under his governance the PDD will progress and its employees will receive due patronage at the hands of the Minister. Mr Shakti Gupta also threw light on the recent meeting of Union office bearers with the Chief Engineer, Mr H S Raina. He said Union showed full support and cooperation to work on war footing for regularising the illegal connections. He said employees under the banner of PPEU worked day and night to regularise the 60 percent illegal connections. The rest 40 percent will be got regularised within days. He said the work entrusted to PPEU has proved upto the expectations of the Department and added that if such encouragement will continue from Chief Engineer, the PPEU will devote full energy in providing beneficial services to the Department. The meeting demanded regularisation of daily wagers who have completed over seven years service, promotion of technician, first,second, third and fourth as per the seniority and providing of two and half days pay to the working staff. Meanwhile the, PPEU unit Vijaypur also held a meeting under the presidentship of Mr Ashok Charak inwhich the decision of Chief Minister to give charge of Power Ministry to Mr S S Slathia was welcomed. The meeting was presided over by Unit presidnet Mr Ashok Charak who expressed the hope that under the steawardship of Mr Slathia the employees problems will be redressed. The meeting was also addressed by the vice president of the unit. |
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Road safety programme Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 21: As a part of road safety programme of the Ministry of Surface Transport, Government of India about one hundred students of K C Public School and Sri Ranbir Government Higher Secondary School manned the main road crossings and regulated the traffic in the city today. An outstanding feature of today’s drive was the exceptionally large number of police personnel fined for not wearing crash helmets and for triple riding on two wheelers. The officers of the Traffic Police had a three hour long interaction with the students of the both the schools a day earlier, where the students were told about the importance of road safety ad taught good road manners. They were shown the various gadgets used by the traffic police to enforce the law. The children were deployed on four different road crossings and traffic round abouts of the city to regulate the traffic. The crossings covered by the drive today are the Maheshpora, Indira Chowk, Bikram Chowk and the Ambedkar Crossing. The students were also shown the functioning of the pollution checking machine and the use of Doplar radar for checking over speeding. Ms D R Doley Barman, the DIG Traffic and Mr M S Salaria SSP Traffic were personally present during the drive who educated the students about the traffic problems. A number of vehicles were booked for violating the act and were also fined on the spot. A total number of 483 vehicles were challaned and fine of Rs 37,950 was realised on the spot. Besides this 67 court challans were also done. Seven scooters one bus and one auto were also seized besides confiscating 57 tape recorders and 100 cassettes playing obscene songs. This drive is a part of road safety programme of the Society for Consumer Protection and Environment (SCOPE) which is conducting these activities with the cooperation of Traffic Police, Transport Department and organisations like J&K Bank, Indian Oil, Shauraya Motors, Kaydees, Chaudhary Motors, Aptec and Pepsi. |
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Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 21: The leaders of Civil Secretariat Non-Gazetted Employees Union (Mehdi group) held dharna in front of Governor House, Raj Bhavan from 10.30 am to 2 pm today As per a release later the leaders presented a charter of demands in the shape of a memorandum to the representative of the Governor enlisting their demands which pertained to non approval of Annual Plan for the year 2000-2001 for Jammu and Kashmir State, non-payment of DA instalment and 5th Pay Commission arrears and enhancement in the retirement age to 60 years for State employees. The memorandum said the State was passing through a difficult situation because disturbed conditions and other related problems as a result of which the employees were the worst sufferers as they are yet to get third instalment of 5th Pay Commission arrears as also the Dearness Allowance instalment due to them from July last. The non-sanctioning of Annual plan for the current financial year has added fuel to the fire and the result is that all developmental activities in the State have virtually come to stand still. They said while the retirement age for Central Government employees has been fixed at 60 years, their counterparts in J&K State services are to retire at the age of 58 years which was a sheer discrimination with them. The employees enjoined upon the Governor to use his good offices and impress upon the Central Government to sanction annual plan for the current year so that the State Government was in a position to mitigate the sufferings of its employees and also take up developmental activities. They also requested the Governor to impress upon the State Government to enhance retirement age of employees to 60 years. The leaders who participated in the dharna included Messrs Ghulam Mehdi, Chaman Lal Chaman (Raina), Ram Saroop, Wali Mohd, Bansi Lal Sharma, Ram Dass, Pt Govind Ram Sharma (ex-president), Haji Mohd Afzal Qadri, Javaid Ahmad and other well wishers. The leaders among other things resolved to protest in a bigger way in due course of time after Id-ul-Fitr at New Delhi and will also try to apprise the Prime Minister and Finance Minister for their intervention in case their demands were not conceded within a fortnight. |
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Massive protest
against banks’ privatisation Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 21: The employees of Reserve Bank of India, Jammu today observed a full-day strike at the call of All India Reserve Bank Employees Association to express solidarity with the countrywide strike of bank employees. A massive demonstration was held outside the Reserve Bank building at Rail Head complex and was addressed by the leaders of North Zone Insurance Employees Association, Coordination Committee of Trade Unions, Reserve Bank Workers Union, Bank Employees Federation of India besides the leaders of Reserve Bank Employees Association. The speakers felt it was very unfortunate that the Government has paid scant regard to the persistent protest of bank employees, opposition by large section of public opinion and political parties against privatisation of bank. The ruling coalition seeks to reduce the Government stake in banks to 33 percent divesting 67 percent of the ownership to private tycoons through the bank privatisation bill being hustled through the current session of the Parliament. They further felt that the Finance Ministry was clearly misleading the nation and all the public sector banks except Indian Bank now maintain the stipulated capital adequency ratio. The Government may have to provide for the last time some money to 2/3 banks to cleanse their balance sheets. The Government is talking about funds crunch but they can spend mind boggling sums for early exit of staff through VRS. Besides as per the present act, the public sector banks can raise capital from the market to the extent of 49 percent of their net worth whereas the private share holding in banks is currently much less that that. So there is enough scope to raise capital without changing the statute. However, the speakers said that instead of doing that the Government seeks to hand over the banks to private capital those who have not returned money borrowed from banks to the extent of about Rs 40,000 crores. Had the Government showed little seriousness in recovering bank dues from the big borrowers the Banks would have been in the pink of health. Speaking on the occasion, the trade union leaders revealed that Nationalised Banks through their huge branch network have collected about 80 percent of total current bank deposits of about Rs 9 lakh crores and channelised this national saving to priority sector—agriculture, cottage industries, small scale sector, generation of employment etc. They demanded that the Government should withdraw the controversial bill and act according to national consensus only, said a release issued here today. |
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Bhim Singh criticises PM, HM for "cease-fire" Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 21: Panthers Party supremo Prof Bhim Singh has criticised the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Home Minister L K Advani on their recent ‘cease-fire’ announcements. While talking to reporters here today the Panthers Party chief expressed that the term "cease-fire" being used by the Prime Minister and Home Minister was not right. The Government has only suspended the anti-militancy operations in the state. There was no continuous war with Pakistan or continuous firing going on with militants. Therefore, it was not correct to say it as ‘cease-fire’, he maintained. By repeating cease-fire announcement the Indian Prime Minister was giving wrong signal to the world bodies. It may also create confusion among the other countries. He hoped that Prime Minister will mend his announcement correctly. Referring to the proposed dialogue process, Prof Singh said that there was still utter confusion as nobody knows who will talk to whom and and what will be the agenda. He suggested that a Parlimentary committee should be constituted and the real representatives of all the three regions including Jammu and Ladakh be included in the proposed dialogue. He regretted that the Prime Minister has even not consulted the Opposition for this sensitive issue. It also failed to conduct the meeting of National Integration Committee on the issue. Prof Singh pointed out that the agenda should be clear and it should include the reorganisation of the Jammu and Kashmir State. His Party wants a peaceful and dignified solution to the five decades old problem and said that representation should also be given to the Kashmiri Pandits, Gujjars and Buddhists besides other groups in the Jammu and Kashmir State. |
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